tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69321958418501407882016-10-25T21:49:01.721-05:00Breakfast at Wal-martBecause at this point in my life Tiffany's is out of the question.Joleene Millerhttps://plus.google.com/101411546451883419662noreply@blogger.comBlogger167125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932195841850140788.post-85033160031827223582015-10-19T12:20:00.000-05:002015-10-19T12:20:58.507-05:00Momma's gotta brand new gameI've started blogging again. &nbsp;That's right, I said it. I am blogging again. &nbsp;This time it is about my journey with my gastric sleeve surgery. It may not be the blog for you. &nbsp;After all it is about my weight loss from surgery. &nbsp;But...you may know someone who has been thinking about this surgery (even if they haven't talked to you about it). &nbsp;I mainly started blogging as a journal of sorts. I have had some friends who have gone before me in this surgery and I have asked them TONS of questions. Most of them gave me what they could remember. It was immensely helpful. I am just putting down in my blog what is going on as it is happening. I hope I can be even more helpful, as well as use this as a tool to see how far I have come when I get stuck in a plateau. &nbsp;I don't expect this to be a go to blog for everyone. So, if you know of anyone interested in this surgery and they want some answers to their questions without judgement send them to <a href="http://smellslikesleevespirit.blogspot.com/">http://smellslikesleevespirit.blogspot.com</a>Joleene Millerhttps://plus.google.com/101411546451883419662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932195841850140788.post-69145787649973024672011-12-13T12:33:00.000-06:002011-12-13T12:33:28.840-06:00Future OlympianI see a future Olympian at my house!&nbsp; No, not my kids....me. I will be competing in several "up and coming events" or at least I will be petitioning that they become events.&nbsp; Mommyhood has provided more challenging events on a daily basis than I could have ever dreamed. Some days I am not as high scoring as other.&nbsp; I think, however, that I will have enough skills to compete in the following events:<br /><br />1. Early Morning Appointments- this event includes getting all children awake, dressed, fed, seasonal accessories (i.e hats,coats, shoes etc...), distraction/nutritional time consuming items, getting them all secured appropriately in their safety seats,&nbsp; and arriving on time (yes on time, did you see this list early is not likely). <br />2. PM Kindergarten preparedness- This event includes: getting anything that you need to get done that morning done (i.e. showering, appts, grocery shopping, dishes,laundry etc..), feeding your kindergartner, making sure that he/she has shoes and clothes on (yes this can go unnoticed), making sure eyeglasses are on child, finding then unloading (if not already done night before) backpack, reloading backpack, watching for bus, making sure the rest of children in the house do not escape when the bus comes for the kindergartner.<br />3.The bedtime routine - We all know this one....lets review- First off, you need to make sure that the children have eaten dinner (always a plus!),&nbsp; if your really going for the gold, clean table and dishes up before bedtime routine is in full swing. Picking out the jammies (the path of least resistance works best here), The bath, everyone gets clean, dried and into previously agreed upon jammies, teeth brushing, potty time, then book choosing, book reading, back rubbing, threatening (don't act shocked, if, er I mean when they get out of bed, I get ticked). lights out, going back up to remove toys, separate children or (in my case...the last straw) yelling...first one to get kids to SLEEP wins.<br /><br />In the Olympic events that I am entering, the prize will not be a medals, it will be Bronze- Alcoholic beverage of choice!, Silver-Massage followed by alcoholic beverage of choice!, Gold-a vacation with (unlimited) alcoholic beverages of choice!<br /><br />I will be going for the Gold! Wish me luck! I get daily practice, so I should be prepared.Joleene Millerhttps://plus.google.com/101411546451883419662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932195841850140788.post-46168261825714744412011-11-29T10:37:00.001-06:002011-11-29T10:53:41.447-06:00The CulpritI am a mommy sleuth...I amaze my kids by knowing who is responsible for whatever it is.&nbsp; I love the looks on their faces when I say, "Devon, I know you wiped the peanut butter and jelly from your hands onto the blinds, you need to clean it".&nbsp; Just today, I witnessed Jake whisper in Devon's ear, he then told Devon to "do it!", Devon hit him and Jake yelled "mom Devon needs to go to time out in his room, he hit me!" Devon, looking at him like he is crazy, looks at me and just shakes his head in disbelief. Jake too looked at me in amazement when I told him...."NO! you just told him to do that, I will not punish him for what you did."&nbsp; They look at me as though I am some sort of amazing all knowing person. Callie, now that she crawls all over the house at lightening speed, has been blamed for all sorts of things she didn't do. Jake will tell me "Callie spilled my chocolate milk while she was playing with Devon's cars"&nbsp; meanwhile his elbow is smack next to the spilled milk while he is playing with his cars. Devon will blame Jake for spilling the cat's water, when Callie still has her hand on the bowl.&nbsp; I find it very amusing! I wonder when their deductional reasoning will kick in....or has it already. I have often wondered if this calculating is purposeful, if so I am in big trouble. Until then, I find it very funny when I hear things like "it was Callie that hit Devon, not me!"Joleene Millerhttps://plus.google.com/101411546451883419662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932195841850140788.post-7448464829166543562011-10-26T10:37:00.002-05:002011-10-26T10:37:58.913-05:00Happy Birthday DevonWell, I am a little behind, but I am so proud of my little man! Devon is 3 years old...wow, I don't understand. I can't believe how fast time flies now that I am an adult, and even faster since I am a mom. Devon is the most sweet, funny, tough, and freakishly strong little guy for 3. We had a BLAST at his Pumpkin Patch birthday party! Devon's favorite part?&nbsp; The Zip line....yes, he is too short to reach the handle, but they let him ride anyway. He held on as tight as possible and even though he isn't heavy enough to make it down and back, he NEVER let go.&nbsp; Really, the lady had to come get this tough little guy down.&nbsp; Here is a pic of his final spot, I laughed so hard I cried (and nearly peed myself).<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M5DCnGDbMJo/TqgpQvt3sBI/AAAAAAAAA1A/aIcoBojMeaA/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M5DCnGDbMJo/TqgpQvt3sBI/AAAAAAAAA1A/aIcoBojMeaA/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />Joleene Millerhttps://plus.google.com/101411546451883419662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932195841850140788.post-47551208741298400152011-09-19T22:02:00.001-05:002011-09-19T22:02:11.698-05:00Thank You Pinterest!The first of a few crafts that I will be doing....Thanks to Pinterest! This was very fun, and I LOVE it!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6tpwJID1aGc/TngCJFO42UI/AAAAAAAAA08/z2F9Ml0luTw/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6tpwJID1aGc/TngCJFO42UI/AAAAAAAAA08/z2F9Ml0luTw/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br /><br /><span id="goog_2040055564"></span><span id="goog_2040055565"></span>Joleene Millerhttps://plus.google.com/101411546451883419662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932195841850140788.post-16995731677972512642011-09-18T19:56:00.000-05:002011-09-18T20:04:46.777-05:00This makes me smile : )<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFqRvPCahJs/TnaSvYPSD2I/AAAAAAAAA04/k4OVRkhlUNQ/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFqRvPCahJs/TnaSvYPSD2I/AAAAAAAAA04/k4OVRkhlUNQ/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />&nbsp; <br /><div style="text-align: center;">What a smart way to get up into the tree....my little problem solver.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">---------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jake has informed us that the reason that he has streaks in his undies is that his butt gets grumpy and makes him need to poop in his underwear :)</div>Joleene Millerhttps://plus.google.com/101411546451883419662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932195841850140788.post-64288546142094599952011-09-16T09:36:00.005-05:002011-09-16T09:36:44.682-05:00Out of the mouth of babes...Me: <i>Devon, come here I need to change your poopy booty</i> (yes, he still wears diapers, he has NO desire to go in the potty. I have a 7 month old, so I have NO desire to play his games...he'll do it someday)<br /><br />Devon: <i>Alright, Alright</i>.....(he saunters along, playing with toys)<br /> <br />Me: <i>Devon, what are you doing? come here please!</i><br /><br />Devon (walking to me as an almost 3 year old, but talking like a 16 year old): <i>why you so worry 'bout me for?</i><br /><br />------------------<br /><br />Me: <i>Jake do you need to go poop (it really is all about poop at our house)?</i><br /><br />Jake: <i>NO!</i><br /><br />Me:<i> Jake, you need to go, why don't you go?</i><br /> <br />Jake: <i>The poop is trying to control me! I don't like it to control me!</i><br />------------------<br /><br />&nbsp;This morning, Callie was fussing in her room during her morning nap, and let out a very loud shreek.<br /><br />Jake: <i>That was LOUD! I think she must be turning into something! like a monster</i><br /><i><br /></i><br /><br /><br /><br />Joleene Millerhttps://plus.google.com/101411546451883419662noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932195841850140788.post-74225245814413298712011-09-07T10:29:00.003-05:002011-09-07T10:29:42.725-05:00ButtonsDevon knows just how to push Jake's buttons. Devon has the sense of humor of a 30 year old man. He is kind of warped that way. He thinks it is funny to see Jake freak out...so he induces it sometimes. Here are a couple of examples:<br /><br />Yesterday after Jake got home from school, Devon was still asleep. Jake went up to their room to wake him up (I asked him too).<br />Jake: <i>"Devon...time to wake up buddy"</i><br />Devon: "<i>I frew your Cars 2 lightening away"</i><br />Jake (freaking out, runs downstairs): "<i>Mom!!!! Mom!!! Devon threw away my Cars 2 Lightening...we gotta dig through the trash now!</i><br />Devon (walking happily downstairs): "<i>Hi mom! I'm awake! can I have a nack?"</i><br /><i><br /></i><br />P.S. Cars 2 lightening has been found...not in the trash, but in the&nbsp;Bat mobile<br /><br />This morning Jake was looking for the hat for his Woody doll.<br /><br />Jake: <i>"Devon, where is my Woody's hat?" "What did you do with it?"</i><br />Devon: (yells) "<i><b>I frew it downstairs!</b>" </i>(as he&nbsp;smirks, and sits calmly on the couch)<br />Jake (freaking out again): "<i>mom! Devon threw my Woody's hat downstairs, we gotta go get it!"</i><br /><i><br /></i><br />No worries Woody's hat has been found...under the stove.<br /><br />These little things make me laugh...and worry what trouble the years ahead will bring :)<br /><i><br /></i>Joleene Millerhttps://plus.google.com/101411546451883419662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932195841850140788.post-32123028352051851042011-09-06T12:26:00.000-05:002011-09-06T13:23:03.024-05:00Jake the film makerMost kids love to play, Jake is no different in that respect. Jake just has a very loyal sense about him and it carries over to his playing. &nbsp;Most of you know that Jake is a VERY loyal Pixar fan. I believe it was just before his 2nd birthday that he first watched Toy Story, then got his first Buzz and Woody. Cars, the movie followed soon....and they have alternated between the favorite and 2nd favorite ever since.<br /><br />As result of this love of Pixar and their movies, Jake is interested in how the movies are made. He loves to know how "they created Buzz and Woody", and how to create the movie.&nbsp;&nbsp;This has translated into Jake "stealing" my iphone and "making movies" or taking my iphone and shooting video. All kinds of video, play video, candid video, and staged video. This used to frustrate the crap out of me, because I would need to use my phone and couldn't find it. The frustration stopped when Victoria and I were watching the video's that Jake had taken. They were pretty great (for a 6 year old at least). I could tell that he really liked making these videos and had a pattern and theme to them. I was impressed, and not too surprised, Jake is a very creative guy (gets it from Colby). The thing I was surprised about was that the videos were not Pixar related. Even though Pixar is top dog, Marvel and its gang is following close behind around here. Jake received a ton of superhero toys for his birthday (as requested). The videos I saw were all Marvel (Theme) and each video had a different super hero.<br /><br />I decided that Jake needed to see what his video process could turn into. We have an iMac, that has iMovie installed. So, like any good mom would do, I helped him edit his videos into a MOVIE! I clipped together the video in a way that it told the story Jake wanted. Every movie needs a soundtrack, so I added one. The result? A super great movie and what could be the beginning of a great talent/career (I'm crazy I know). &nbsp;When I showed Jake the movie, he asked "Is it going to be shown on the big screen?", I told him "No, buddy, not this movie". Jake then told me (while shaking his head in determination) "well, I'm going to make movies until they show one on the big screen!!"<br /><br />I think he'll do it, that is just the type of kid he is.....so without further adieu... Jake's 1st Movie<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxu8k9JinIAmD5G-CT_ElJy1xzkySTV0DiH5R45-2XjUW0xM2IVdw-dqqMT1mgeTAL8HZcaUsDUclfOtPR68w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /><br /><br />Joleene Millerhttps://plus.google.com/101411546451883419662noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932195841850140788.post-67445866616718787402011-09-01T11:17:00.001-05:002011-09-06T13:23:21.650-05:00Give and TakeI am sure you all remember that Colby and I are getting out of debt. This task has been slowed&nbsp;dramatically the past year.&nbsp;A number of things have caused the slowing. Saving for maternity leave last year (like Dave Ramsey suggests). Then while on maternity leave we spent $8000 in home/car repairs (yes you read right $8000. I didn't fall on the zero button on accident). The day before Callie was born our furnace/heat pump went out. It turns out that because we are the only house in our subdivision with a heat pump the builder didn't know how to install one correctly. Thus, 5 years later we have to get a whole new system. Yippee! Then the super crazy wind storms this spring means that we had to get roofing repairs. Not to feel out done, Colby's Jeep decided that it needed a new transmission. ARGH!!!! I am sad to report that we had to take out a small loan to help cover the Jeep, everything else, we used our Emergency fund for. This is a double edged sword, WE PAID CASH for MOST of our Murphy's Law issues. However we had to get a small loan, and lost out on the money we were looking forward to slamming onto our debt. &nbsp;Since then, we have had a hard time geting that snowball moving. I went back to work to find out that the free flowing extra shifts had become very hard to get. I also am now very frustrated that I have to spend so much time away from my family, that I am not very motivated to actually work extra.<br /><br />Time for change!!! I decided enough is enough, I am now on a committee that I am doing a project for, this gets me hours. I am going to work hard to get at least 1 extra shift a month, and I have to get several more trauma hours in (also money). Only downside is that in order to do this, I need a babysitter that can swing by for a couple of hours. Enter&nbsp;<a href="http://www.care.com/">www.care.com</a>&nbsp;where we looked for a local person to help us out. &nbsp;My mom does when she has time, but sometimes she can't. It was nice to screen people and find the perfect match. &nbsp;We found Mandy, a local girl who is going to college to be a teacher and only needs a few hours a month! Perfect match! I am cheap, I 'm not going to lie, but I am fine paying someone in order to bring more money in. I see it as give and take. I've gotta give money in order to get some more : ) I forsee this bringing in enough money to make a difference. &nbsp;I am too determined to get out of debt to quit, so doing this is just one more thing to make it happen. &nbsp;We are too close to the finish line to stop now.Joleene Millerhttps://plus.google.com/101411546451883419662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932195841850140788.post-78791009112256400792011-08-25T21:07:00.000-05:002011-08-25T21:07:15.394-05:00It really is about the journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x_EXyeCx5dk/Tlb6TVIpb-I/AAAAAAAAA00/9lEGsRwr-Wc/s1600/b2730bd3c719acec_running_beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x_EXyeCx5dk/Tlb6TVIpb-I/AAAAAAAAA00/9lEGsRwr-Wc/s200/b2730bd3c719acec_running_beach.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>As I mentioned earlier, I am on a weight loss mission. I am done having babies, and I'm not getting any younger so now is the time.&nbsp; I am learning to run, I like it, I just need to get stronger and faster. I will, I know this. I have learned how to just accept that right now I am doing my best and that is good enough.&nbsp; I am not just running, I am working out as well. I have read that running by itself is not the best way to loose weight, the stronger you are the more muscle you have to burn more fat. Lets face it people if this is true then I am on my way to being a body builder...I've got a lot of fat to burn. Ok so body builder is extreme, you get my drift.&nbsp; I do want to run though. I want to run races and get that feeling of accomplishment. I know that running a race is more about the journey there than the 5k, 10k, half or full marathon themselves. I guess I see myself getting stronger, faster, healthier, wiser, and just plain old more confident than I am right now. I see each of those races as stepping stones to the final prize....me looking back at the path that I took to get there. Corney sounding I know, but I see that as a huge prize. <br />I have recently met someone who is purposely cheating herself out of the journey. I am not sure why, but she misleads people about her actual accomplishments. This bothers the crap out of me! There are various reasons that I know that she is misleading people. The misleading isn't even my problem, my problem is "why can't she love the progress she has really made", "why can't she love herself where she is at right now".&nbsp; I would love to push the fast forward button on my goals, but the reward wouldn't be as great.&nbsp; It really is about that journey, the path we choose to take, and how we learn from it.Joleene Millerhttps://plus.google.com/101411546451883419662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932195841850140788.post-91455053120394195092011-08-16T22:56:00.000-05:002011-08-16T22:56:10.119-05:00Back on the WagonHi, my name is Joleene and I have a problem.&nbsp; It's been a 3 week binder, and it's gotta end. No, not that kind of binder. I fell off the eating as healthy as possible wagon. I hit my 1st weight loss goal early. As of 7/19 (the day before Jake's birthday) I had lost 34 pounds since March 24. I was very proud of myself, and since it was Jake's birthday treated myself. His party was that weekend...and I treated myself.&nbsp; Ok people, I am not gonna lie, these past few weeks a lot of Sonic Blasts, Malts, and Bacon cheeseburgers have been involved. Maybe even some other deviously deliciousness as well. I would love to blame the 9 million degree heat we had during that time. It was hot, and I did need to cool down, but damn it my self control went down the drain.&nbsp; I didn't really even workout very much. I hurt my knee and then I had a stupid sinus infection. I can only thank my lucky stars that I didn't gain 1 pound...I even lost 2 more. I am pretty sure that really I have Callie to thank for helping loose those 2 pounds despite my binging.<br /><br />This week, I started anew. Back to limiting my caloric intake between 1800 and 1900 calories. I am not too strict with myself because of my breastfeeding Callie. I don't want my milk supply to slow down.&nbsp; I am also back to my working out. Last night I went for a run. I ran 3.5 miles in 44 minutes. I know this isn't Kenyan speed, but for me it is very good. I am getting faster and running farther. I can thank <a href="http://www.legacyft.com/">www.legacyft.com</a> for helping me get stronger. I am not always a consistent attendee but try to go 3-4 times a week. I have a crazy love/hate relationship with working out. I love the feeling I get and even love pushing myself as hard as I can, but I hate getting my butt up to go.&nbsp; I will though, because I have another goal that I WILL hit. I will loose 18 more pounds by 10/22...Devon's birthday party day....oh crap, I hope I don't have a pattern starting here : )Joleene Millerhttps://plus.google.com/101411546451883419662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932195841850140788.post-40909845888506297702011-08-10T23:48:00.000-05:002011-08-10T23:48:31.519-05:00New addictionWell crap! I am now addicted to the "you know you went to Sumner if" page on Facebook! That is all I have time to say...back to reliving the things I forgot (and love to remember) about The best High School in all of the 'Dotte!<br /><br />Sing it...."Summer Sabers, Blue and Silver, we have pledged our hearts to thee, and we'll remember all our lives, our SUMNER ACADEMY!"Joleene Millerhttps://plus.google.com/101411546451883419662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932195841850140788.post-47754977624970117572011-08-07T23:24:00.000-05:002011-08-07T23:24:14.074-05:00The value of a day offI was put on call today! If&nbsp; you aren't in the medical field, then you should know this is a big deal! It is very rare to have the hospital call ME and ask me if I want to stay home....ummmYES!!! always!&nbsp; I work EVERY weekend, this is what we Weekend Option girls call "the golden handcuffs". I get to be home M-F, this means no daycare, I am a full time mom, my kids have a parent with them 7 days a week, and I get paid at full time rates. Sounds great right? Well, I work all Saturdays and Sundays, I get 4 days off a year and get to be sick 2 times every 6 months. I literally work 46-48 weekends a year depending on how many times I am sick.&nbsp; As great for our family as this is, it means that Colby and I rarely have days at home together. We have evenings, but that isn't the same as sharing a day together. I miss him, I miss our kids getting to have days where mom and dad are both home (they are better when we are both home). I miss T-ball games, friends' birthday parties, etc. I would love to to say we are close to being done doing this, but in reality we have a couple of more years.<br /><br />As a result, ANY time I get a chance to spend an unexpected day with my husband and kids, I'm going to make the most of it.&nbsp; We did!&nbsp; we all played on the floor with Callie (who is just now sitting on her own!) We napped, and then went to the park after the rain cooled down the heat some....It was a great day! Jake told me "Next Sunday we should all have another day together!"&nbsp; Someday buddy, someday!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ov_-6km5BDg/Tj9iwSAv-5I/AAAAAAAAA0Y/YgzVK3mZzxg/s1600/IMG_0900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ov_-6km5BDg/Tj9iwSAv-5I/AAAAAAAAA0Y/YgzVK3mZzxg/s200/IMG_0900.JPG" width="148" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mcDA1c7w_ls/Tj9i8KSj08I/AAAAAAAAA0g/uYZQJoQqrJY/s1600/IMG_0910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mcDA1c7w_ls/Tj9i8KSj08I/AAAAAAAAA0g/uYZQJoQqrJY/s200/IMG_0910.JPG" width="148" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lkBHFpq3zrk/Tj9jBSYDznI/AAAAAAAAA0k/sipwII3XdvE/s1600/IMG_0913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lkBHFpq3zrk/Tj9jBSYDznI/AAAAAAAAA0k/sipwII3XdvE/s200/IMG_0913.JPG" width="148" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OFRYxYKUECo/Tj9jFcdUaJI/AAAAAAAAA0o/vrtVZWNlxzM/s1600/IMG_0916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OFRYxYKUECo/Tj9jFcdUaJI/AAAAAAAAA0o/vrtVZWNlxzM/s200/IMG_0916.JPG" width="148" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy hair, but I'm sitting up!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rwgawkeHdW8/Tj9jKgm3tyI/AAAAAAAAA0s/n4Ovi3cv4Qk/s1600/IMG_0919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rwgawkeHdW8/Tj9jKgm3tyI/AAAAAAAAA0s/n4Ovi3cv4Qk/s200/IMG_0919.JPG" width="148" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They are "Thor"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RkO_XpUjcNk/Tj9jX-4DNkI/AAAAAAAAA0w/JFrLud2AFac/s1600/IMG_0922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RkO_XpUjcNk/Tj9jX-4DNkI/AAAAAAAAA0w/JFrLud2AFac/s200/IMG_0922.JPG" width="148" /></a></div><span id="goog_234654891"></span><span id="goog_234654892"></span>Joleene Millerhttps://plus.google.com/101411546451883419662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932195841850140788.post-18682928095130438422011-08-05T23:02:00.000-05:002011-08-05T23:02:58.303-05:00I am NOT a tree hugger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JtfyhS-O9sY/Tjy6PlIUyBI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/gZVGIcvC2PA/s1600/IMG_6859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JtfyhS-O9sY/Tjy6PlIUyBI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/gZVGIcvC2PA/s320/IMG_6859.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>I know I would have never in a million years seen myself as the mom I am now. I breast feed, use a "Hooter Hider" to do so in public. I wear my baby in my "Mobey Wrap" sling.&nbsp; I am now adding "baby food maker" to my list of free loving momma stuff to do.&nbsp; I have to admit, I bought the Baby Bullet for 2 reasons...1. It's cute, 2. it is cheaper to make my own food (like way cheaper...I was crazy not to do this before!).&nbsp; I have now made 3 different meals for Callie. Avocado, Green Beans (from mom's garden) and tonight I made applesauce. This all sounds so complicated, but it isn't. I still think, oh man, I might not be able to do this. Every time I make a new food, I laugh and think to myself "Man that was so easy...and FUN!"&nbsp; I admit this places me further into the hippie tribe, but I like it. Oh, and just so you know...no worries I drew the line long ago at diapers. I will only use the disposable, land filling easy for me to use Pampers!Joleene Millerhttps://plus.google.com/101411546451883419662noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932195841850140788.post-45773298208431854592011-08-03T22:25:00.000-05:002011-08-03T22:25:45.908-05:00Devon in Drag...kind ofIf you have ever had a 2 year old, then you know what kind of craziness can happen in a couple of unattended minutes.&nbsp; Devon is very 2, he is very similar to a Tasmanian devil.&nbsp; Destruction, injury, and shenanigans follow his path.&nbsp; During this scorching summer our biggest struggle is him chucking toys at his brother when he doesn't get what he wants. I think the extreme heat has both kept him inside and hindered his energy burn. One thing it hasn't hindered is his curiosity.&nbsp; We are always on the lookout for whatever it is Devon's got planned.&nbsp; This evening when I was nursing Callie, he and Jake were playing the Wii (so we thought). When I finished, Colby mentioned to me that he thought Devon got into the toilet paper in the upstairs (all kids') bathroom. I saw the unraveled TP, but noticed something else as well....an open and obviously used mascara brush. I looked around and thought...."ok, he tried to color with it on the vanity, then tried to clean it up with the TP, no biggie".&nbsp; I called for Devon to come help me clean up the TP.&nbsp; I heard him coming up the stairs, and I started to tell him not to color with Victoria's mascara and not to use so much TP to clean it.&nbsp; It was then that I heard him utter, in a guttural tone. "WHAT?"&nbsp; I turned to see.........this<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sIh_AVPA6-U/TjoPoaZsyTI/AAAAAAAAAzs/BZj0AXb0lCE/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sIh_AVPA6-U/TjoPoaZsyTI/AAAAAAAAAzs/BZj0AXb0lCE/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>I had no words...only hysterical laughter!&nbsp; My first thought was "Alice Cooper costume or drag dancer at a Cabaret".&nbsp; No worries, when I asked him what made him do that, he responded "I'm a girl la"&nbsp; translation "Gorilla".&nbsp; Ohhhhh! Ok, that was my 37th guess.&nbsp; Never a dull moment : )&nbsp; Oh, Devon if you do decide to be a drag dancer, you will be beautiful.Joleene Millerhttps://plus.google.com/101411546451883419662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932195841850140788.post-35826852685729961332011-08-02T22:55:00.000-05:002011-08-02T22:55:38.357-05:00May I introduce (a little late) Callie Renee Miller<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wow! It has been a while since I have Blogged! I got lazy, and frankly burned out. I know that sounds silly, but I just kind of lost my Mojo. Well I'm bringing it back!<br /><br />I got a dose of reality today when a high school friend of mine commented about not wanting to forget her baby's moments, smell etc. I realized that is what blogging does it captured those moments I want to freeze.&nbsp; I then realized that I have never once blogged about my new princess. So without further adieu, I introduce Callie Renee Miller!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AtyWpjQZ8UE/Tji2Q8Vx_XI/AAAAAAAAAzU/1V_5-QZ6zYA/s1600/IMG_0365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AtyWpjQZ8UE/Tji2Q8Vx_XI/AAAAAAAAAzU/1V_5-QZ6zYA/s200/IMG_0365.JPG" width="133" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Callie was born Thursday February 10th, 2011 at 11:25am (after only 3 1/2 hours of labor!) she weighed 7lbs and 11oz and was 19inches long.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TMPCdGB9XgM/Tji2apvUKBI/AAAAAAAAAzY/hdFCugtdz1I/s1600/IMG_3029-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TMPCdGB9XgM/Tji2apvUKBI/AAAAAAAAAzY/hdFCugtdz1I/s200/IMG_3029-2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Callie is named after Colby's Maternal Grandmother Callie Fae (Lee) Beard. She is a wonderful woman and we are so honored to name our beautiful baby girl after her. We gave her my middle name Renee, I love that a part of my name gets to be passed down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AVC1rNRTUgU/Tji2u7t6dWI/AAAAAAAAAzc/VIo0d8684w4/s1600/IMG_3074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AVC1rNRTUgU/Tji2u7t6dWI/AAAAAAAAAzc/VIo0d8684w4/s200/IMG_3074.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;When we first saw Callie we had to laugh. Jake was the winner! All along Jake had insisted that Callie would have brown hair like him and blue eyes like Devon.&nbsp; Guess what? He was right. Callie is a perfect mix of her big brothers, and sister. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YEM9UVCl5YA/Tji27yfktRI/AAAAAAAAAzg/V4jIfT7pwMU/s1600/IMG_0581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YEM9UVCl5YA/Tji27yfktRI/AAAAAAAAAzg/V4jIfT7pwMU/s200/IMG_0581.JPG" width="148" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Callie is a great baby! (at least for me, she does give daddy a hard time on the weekends) She is very mellow, supper happy, and sleeps all night! Yes, you read right, my breastfed baby girl has slept 12 hours a night since she was about 3 months old. I am just glad that this occurred with my last baby and not the first. I would have not done well with getting up to feed in the middle of the night if I were used to sleeping like I get to with miss Callie.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c_QWY6xIYOw/Tji3GODZMaI/AAAAAAAAAzk/bVqvOGuTPzI/s1600/IMG_6813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c_QWY6xIYOw/Tji3GODZMaI/AAAAAAAAAzk/bVqvOGuTPzI/s200/IMG_6813.JPG" width="133" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Callie has won us all over (not that this was a huge task) she has her brothers fighting over who gets to hold her, her sister waking up early to come in and see Callie in the morning. Daddy's eyes light up when he sees her beautiful smile and I just melt when I walk into her room every morning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AfSZvgJFprc/Tji3HRwXexI/AAAAAAAAAzo/-hZkt-g91xo/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AfSZvgJFprc/Tji3HRwXexI/AAAAAAAAAzo/-hZkt-g91xo/s200/photo.JPG" width="149" />&nbsp;</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am So glad that she has completed our family! I just love her so much! I can't even imagine our lives without her in it. She completes us...our little Callie the Finale :) </div><span id="goog_2012614506"></span><span id="goog_2012614507"></span>Joleene Millerhttps://plus.google.com/101411546451883419662noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932195841850140788.post-2141177831773897982010-08-24T09:10:00.000-05:002010-08-24T09:10:47.796-05:00Parents should never have to bury their childrenA boy that Victoria was friends with was killed last night in a car accident. I don't think they know the specifics yet, but it was on some country roads and I don't think there is a stop sign in either direction. The car was T-boned and he died at the scene. I knew that it had occurred, because my mom called to make sure we were all safe after she heard breaking news. &nbsp;I even kind of assumed it would involve a teenager, I know that isn't a very kind thing to assume, but I did. We had Back to School night at the High School last night, and even though nothing was said, there were some things that pointed to it being a student. One of the teachers who was supposed to be talking about his class was called away on an emergency. It just so happens that V and Andrew were in the same class. At the end of the night, the Principal announced an emergency staff meeting immediately after the Open House was over. &nbsp;It is funny how thinking that you know what is going on somehow distances you from the emotions that go with actually knowing what is going on. &nbsp;When we got home a friend of Victoria called and informed her that in fact it was a friend of theirs, Andrew, who was killed. I feel very bad for the kids and Victoria for what they will be feeling over the next year or longer about this. I feel the most pain, and sorrow for Andrew's parents. &nbsp;I haven't been able to stop thinking of them, though I have never met them. I haven't the smallest idea what they are going through, and to be honest, I never want to know. I can only imagine how they are able to function. I don't know for sure, but I feel like my heart would stop beating and my lungs stop breathing if I had to deal with anything of the sort. I will pray without ceasing that they are able to hang on to each other and move forward from here. I don't propose to even understand how they can do it, but I know that the more people praying for the same thing, can feel to them, like a rope to hold on to. Parents should never have to bury their children, and the ones that do, I give you all my heart and strength.Joleene Millerhttps://plus.google.com/101411546451883419662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932195841850140788.post-69357226700962641222010-08-20T09:09:00.000-05:002010-08-20T09:09:38.885-05:00Jake's first day of Pre-K= deceit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/TG6JLteJBNI/AAAAAAAAAyM/dr9YrFNYqTY/s1600/IMG_5804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/TG6JLteJBNI/AAAAAAAAAyM/dr9YrFNYqTY/s320/IMG_5804.JPG" /></a></div><br />Monday was technically Jake's first day but due to his Tonsil and Adenoidectomy, he didn't go until today. He was cleared to go back on Tuesday (their class is MWF) but he was hurting too much for my liking on Wednesday, so I kept him with me. &nbsp;There has been an issue with him returning though. Open Arms, the preschool/daycare center that he goes to, claimed that he couldn't return with any restrictions, i.e. no physical activity. &nbsp;This flat out pissed me off, their claim was that they didn't want to be unfair to him to have him sit out. &nbsp;What? I have sent thousands of patients home with "may return to school, but no physical activity" in my 14 years at CMH. Never has a parent told me that their school thinks that is "unfair". <br />Monday when we went to drop off his supplies and explain to the teacher he had to leave, we talked to the new director. She was the person who explained to me that if I wanted to pick him up at recess that I could do that. She informed me that their recess time was at the end of the class, so that seemed like a perfect solution. FF to today. I drop Jake off, then ask the teacher if I needed to be here by 10:30 to get him before recess. She looked confused and said "we go to recess at 9:00". &nbsp;She pointed to the class schedule, and yep, that is when they do recess. I was just about to start to ask if I needed to pick him up for 20 min in the middle of the school day, when another mom saved me. &nbsp;I am horrible with names sometimes, and I just remember her as Hadley's mom. &nbsp;Anyway, Hadley's mom told me "I overheard them talking, Mrs Susan has no idea what you are talking about, hurry just go before they notice" it seems the director is the only one who feels this way. &nbsp;So Devon and I scurried out of the place before anyone was the wiser. &nbsp;Do I feel bad that Jake is probably going to play when he should still be resting? &nbsp;Kind of, I do know what to look for when he gets home, but at the same time, he shouldn't have to miss school when he has been cleared by his surgeon since Tuesday. &nbsp;Besides, I am kind of a "buck the system" kind of gal anyway.Joleene Millerhttps://plus.google.com/101411546451883419662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932195841850140788.post-88154816305773499042010-06-29T21:41:00.000-05:002010-06-29T21:41:12.966-05:00T-ball comes to a close<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last night was Jake's final T-ball game of the year. Even though the season kind of drug on (thanks to weeks of rained out games), it was bittersweet watching him play that last game. &nbsp;Jake has always loved baseball, but didn't seem so interested at first in playing (or at least practicing) I think it was a lot of factors that added together. &nbsp;1. most of the kids were a year or 2 older (this is a big deal when you aren't even 5), 2. he hasn't figured out how to catch the ball yet, and 3. the coach never let him just go up and hit the ball the way he knows how, she always had to "help"him (don't get me wrong, she did the best coaching job she could given what she had to work with). &nbsp;As a result, he wasn't as excited as we thought he would be about playing T-ball. Until the last game that is....he told us that he loved playing catcher ( kind of ironic since he can't catch, lol) , that he loved playing T-ball.....just not practicing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/TCqqKzPnNxI/AAAAAAAAAeU/oAz-uvI2k1s/s1600/IMG_5257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/TCqqKzPnNxI/AAAAAAAAAeU/oAz-uvI2k1s/s320/IMG_5257.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is a good action shot of Jake hitting the ball, if you look close you can see the ball headed to the First basemen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/TCqqKzPnNxI/AAAAAAAAAeU/oAz-uvI2k1s/s1600/IMG_5257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/TCqqdZd8n7I/AAAAAAAAAec/aDHVbU0O2zc/s1600/IMG_5269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/TCqqdZd8n7I/AAAAAAAAAec/aDHVbU0O2zc/s320/IMG_5269.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jake with his tongue hanging out, running (he really doesn't run, it is more of a rapid mosey) back to the dugout after scoring!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, yes, I let him wear shorts, he is too small and skinny to wear the baseball pants that were XS, we also let him wear his tennis shoes the last game, because he outgrew his cleats <i>during</i> the season<i>.&nbsp;</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/TCqqdZd8n7I/AAAAAAAAAec/aDHVbU0O2zc/s1600/IMG_5269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/TCqqzyfI5XI/AAAAAAAAAek/nvDYMWwOu_w/s1600/IMG_5276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/TCqqzyfI5XI/AAAAAAAAAek/nvDYMWwOu_w/s320/IMG_5276.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Final huddle of the season.....Gooooo White Sox!</div>Joleene Millerhttps://plus.google.com/101411546451883419662noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932195841850140788.post-63343596970440939522010-06-24T12:01:00.001-05:002010-06-24T12:18:09.835-05:00Devon is in a big boy bed.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/TCOTLvLV3mI/AAAAAAAAAeM/5MUSa1EyNGs/s1600/IMG_5187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/TCOTLvLV3mI/AAAAAAAAAeM/5MUSa1EyNGs/s320/IMG_5187.JPG" /></a></div>Last night when we were putting Devon to bed, he started climbing out...over and over again. I decided to see how far out he could actually get, when he did a face plant where he even bit his tongue (mother of the year I know). So what to do, but transform the crib into a toddler bed. We had done it before, and it doesn't take too long. Plus we already had bedding from when Jake used it. &nbsp;He looks so cute in his new little toddler bed. &nbsp;Of course he did fall out a couple of times last night. &nbsp;Not to worry, I am getting some pillows to line the floor with to help comfort the falls from now on. &nbsp;Kind of sad taking that crib down, it kind of feels like my baby is a big boy : (Joleene Millerhttps://plus.google.com/101411546451883419662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932195841850140788.post-1721555021462688282010-05-17T12:16:00.001-05:002010-05-17T12:17:45.239-05:00Ferris will make it all better<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the words of my friend Ashley....."<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">a cat.....................what prompted this? Thought you wanted to plant a few shrubs.......hehe" We did buy our peonies, but it was too stinking rainy all weekend to plant our memorial flowers.....so we decided to get a kitten to love on : )</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">In fairness, Devon has been asking Colby for a couple of weeks now "where Kiki go?" with his hands out in a questioning maner. &nbsp;We did need to put some love on something small, so it is a win-win situation.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;">Meet Ferris, we changed his name from the the ever cute kitten name Phineas. &nbsp;We didn't think Phineas would be a good adult cat name, plus we wanted something we came up with. &nbsp;Ferris is of course after "Ferris Bueller's Day off" , he is 10 weeks old, and super stinking cute...</span></div>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/S_F0fJRI_VI/AAAAAAAAAdk/jaKga1J4AEA/s1600/IMG_5061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/S_F0fJRI_VI/AAAAAAAAAdk/jaKga1J4AEA/s320/IMG_5061.JPG" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Devon loves him...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/S_F0fJRI_VI/AAAAAAAAAdk/jaKga1J4AEA/s1600/IMG_5061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/S_F0uEZXn8I/AAAAAAAAAds/AWTASzsyr_M/s1600/IMG_5066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/S_F0uEZXn8I/AAAAAAAAAds/AWTASzsyr_M/s320/IMG_5066.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ferris doesn't think what Devon is doing is love....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/S_F0uEZXn8I/AAAAAAAAAds/AWTASzsyr_M/s1600/IMG_5066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/S_F09bGKTyI/AAAAAAAAAd0/nh6pk141-bE/s1600/IMG_5071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/S_F09bGKTyI/AAAAAAAAAd0/nh6pk141-bE/s320/IMG_5071.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jake loves him too, here is a uniquely mellow pic of Jake and Ferris : )</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/S_F09bGKTyI/AAAAAAAAAd0/nh6pk141-bE/s1600/IMG_5071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>&nbsp;<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/S_F1OexDnPI/AAAAAAAAAd8/WKWMN6Xlsv0/s1600/IMG_5076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/S_F1OexDnPI/AAAAAAAAAd8/WKWMN6Xlsv0/s320/IMG_5076.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Joleene Millerhttps://plus.google.com/101411546451883419662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932195841850140788.post-85877029306178283692010-05-14T10:53:00.001-05:002010-05-14T11:14:35.864-05:00The pain of an empty wombI know that this isn't an easy subject to talk about. Hell, I know it isn't an easy subject to read about. I am hoping that writing about it makes it easier, for me and maybe for anyone else who hasn't processed their pain yet.<br />When most people hear about miscarriages, they think of a beautiful young woman, who desperately wants to have a baby, but is unable to. It is very easy to feel empathy for these woman, because when you know the joy of having a baby, you can't help but wish that for every woman (and the husbands that want the same thing). &nbsp;What we don't hear a lot about, is what I am going through. &nbsp;I have 3 beautiful, and wonderful children, but I don't feel like my family is complete. &nbsp;I know to some people, I should be grateful for the children that I do have, and it is almost offensive to them that I do want one more. &nbsp;I am grateful for my kids, I love them more than they will ever know. I just also know that there is more than enough love to go around another time.<br />The experience of losing a pregnancy, is a horrible one! &nbsp;It doesn't matter if you have children or not, it all just sucks. &nbsp;I do think that each person experiences different emotions though. &nbsp;My story goes like this...<br /><br />In October 2008, Colby and I brought home our wonderful baby boy Devon, turns out Devon didn't like it when mommy wasn't around....at all, he was by all accounts a difficult baby, not colicy, just difficult. &nbsp;He knew, that mommy wasn't around and gave daddy a hard time. &nbsp;Colby had a hard time dealing with a mostly grumpy baby every weekend when I went back to work. &nbsp;It was maybe the 3rd or 4th weekend back at work and Colby called to tell me emphatically that we were done having kids....he was serious. &nbsp;From that point on, I did my best to accept that I was done having babies, but my incomplete feeling was still there. &nbsp;By the time Devon was around 9 to 10 months old, he mellowed out. In January 2010, Colby came to me and told me that the reason that he hadn't gone to get "snipped" was because deep down he wanted another baby too. &nbsp;He had reached a point that he knew he wanted a baby and I was overjoyed! &nbsp;We started trying in February, and got a positive test in early March. &nbsp;I had never had any reason to be concerned about a pregnancy, I had always gotten a positive test, then at 40 weeks (or 42 in Victoria's case) given birth to beautiful healthy babies. &nbsp;I went on with my normal everyday life, until the Thursday night after that positive test. &nbsp;I started by just seeing a small amount of brown drainage, this worried me, but my original thought was that I needed to slow down a little. &nbsp;That night, the small brown drainage turned to large and bright red. &nbsp;I was stunned, sad, confused. &nbsp;I told Colby that I thought I had lost the baby, but made an appointment for my Dr anyway. &nbsp;I am a mom, and I love my kids more than anything. &nbsp;I would do anything to save them from harm, but not this time. &nbsp;It was the most defenseless feeling I had felt, to know that my baby was in trouble, but all I could do was sit there and take it. &nbsp;To add insult to the whole idea, the cramping felt more like the contractions that our uterus goes through after you give birth, to get itself back to size. &nbsp;I had felt that pain before, but worn it as a badge of honor, after all, it was a small price for the tiny treasure that was then in my arms. This time every painful contraction, reminded me of the little treasure that I would never get to meet. &nbsp;Colby and I had a very hard time, we had already loved that little baby more than we knew, and now we had to come to terms with what we will never understand.<br />I am a nurse, my brain understands that the pregnancy was doomed, and that is why I lost it. &nbsp;My heart however, can't comprehend anything other than the pain that is occurring. As a matter of fact, it is easier for my brain to focus on the sadness of the moment than to try to comprehend that the baby I was losing was a failure, a mismatched chromosomal mess. I will never view it like that, my heart won't allow it.<br /><br />Colby and I were able to heal from that situation, and move forward. &nbsp;We had another positive pregnancy test on May 2 and we were both cautiously excited. Each day that went well, we gained more confidence and excitement. then the evening of May 11th, I noticed a pale pink drainage, as if it were diluted water color. &nbsp;I hardly slept, I dreaded what was coming, but was hoping to be put on bed rest until &nbsp;it subsided. &nbsp;The morning of May 12th, my worst fear came back...bright red blood. I burst into a sobbing mess. &nbsp;Why? Why us? Why now? &nbsp;We just went through this, we have had our turn at that, not again! &nbsp;I am blessed to have Colby as my husband, he stayed home from work and went with me to see my OB. Oddly enough, it made it easier to hear that I lost my baby, when it was followed by words of encouragement from my OB. &nbsp;He feels like we will have another baby, that statistically 30% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage, we were just unfortunate enough to go through it 2 times in a row. &nbsp;This time was also less physically painful, though my mind remembers the horrible previous pain with each small cramp or each new pad. &nbsp;This time, I am just very dizzy and lightheaded. &nbsp;I still hurt, just not as much.<br />I decided that it would be easier to share my pain in a cathartic effort to get myself in the right mental place. &nbsp;I am not going to work this weekend, it would be too hard to see those little babies without setting me back a lot. &nbsp;I am instead going to spend it with the wonderful family that I do have. &nbsp;I know that we still have love for another child, and we are not going to give up. &nbsp;I have also thought of a way to keep the memory of theses 2 babies. &nbsp;I am going to get 2 peony plants (my favorite) and plant them in remembrance. Every year I will get to see those plants grow and bloom, and every time I look at them, I will remember the love that I have for these two lost babies. &nbsp;It may not be the way everyone will deal with their pain, but I hope it works for me.Joleene Millerhttps://plus.google.com/101411546451883419662noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932195841850140788.post-27439623211252350942010-04-16T12:20:00.001-05:002010-04-16T12:22:28.223-05:00Best buddies!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Jake has a best friend. &nbsp;His name is Nick. &nbsp;We love getting to spend time with Nick and his family. &nbsp;Today the boys and I went to the Great Mall for a playdate with Nick and his mom. &nbsp;I am so glad that we let the boys do this.........They had to hold on to each other so that they wouldn't fall off of the stool. &nbsp;Some of them are supposed to be silly faces and others are just trying to not fall. &nbsp;Either way, it will be something they can look back on and smile about. &nbsp;So cute!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/S8icIJcLp_I/AAAAAAAAAdY/1AsuZv3aln8/s1600/jake-n-nick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/S8icIJcLp_I/AAAAAAAAAdY/1AsuZv3aln8/s640/jake-n-nick.jpg" width="155" /></a></div>Joleene Millerhttps://plus.google.com/101411546451883419662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6932195841850140788.post-78859374525198548542010-04-15T12:56:00.000-05:002010-04-15T12:56:49.686-05:00We feel all grown up now...It has been 4 1/2 years since we moved into our house. &nbsp;We love it here! &nbsp;We just got 2 new neighbors that we love hanging out with. I am most excited about being able to finally get our fence! &nbsp;We have never wanted to spend the money on a fence when we knew at sometime we would have neighbors. &nbsp;Now the boys are just too busy to risk not having a fence. &nbsp;We have construction across the street and 1 empty lot to the West of us. &nbsp;So, we put the debt snowball on hold for a month and paid cash for our new fence! &nbsp;We feel so grown up now. &nbsp;So without further adieu...............The Miller Fence!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/S8dR6-dwU2I/AAAAAAAAAdA/IPs2Ih8UUL4/s1600/IMG_4839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/S8dR6-dwU2I/AAAAAAAAAdA/IPs2Ih8UUL4/s320/IMG_4839.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">did I mention that we are going to kill our weed filled lawn and start over!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/S8dR6-dwU2I/AAAAAAAAAdA/IPs2Ih8UUL4/s1600/IMG_4839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/S8dSdGwekZI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/PnjiPRzmYzk/s1600/IMG_4853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/S8dSdGwekZI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/PnjiPRzmYzk/s320/IMG_4853.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My flower garden is getting some Roundup as well : )</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/S8dSHbCfCoI/AAAAAAAAAdI/A6ptN5-oJfg/s1600/IMG_4852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_K7dQxKqKQbU/S8dSHbCfCoI/AAAAAAAAAdI/A6ptN5-oJfg/s320/IMG_4852.JPG" /></a></div>Joleene Millerhttps://plus.google.com/101411546451883419662noreply@blogger.com1